Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an adherence monitor for use with a tethered cap inhaler device. The adherence monitor engages the inhaler device, and includes a tether opening located within a housing of the adherence monitor for receiving the tether. The tether opening is in the form of a slot in a base portion of the housing. The path length of the tether around the adherence monitor is kept from being increased, compared to its path length when the adherence monitor is not attached to the inhaler, by having the slot located to allow the tether to pass through the slot. Various sensors of the adherence monitor in various embodiments detect inhaler usage.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an adherence monitor for use with a tethered cap inhaler device. The monitor engages the inhaler device, and includes a tether opening for receiving the tether, so that the path length of the tether around the monitor is minimized or reduced.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides an adherence monitoring device for a medication delivery device, the monitoring device including at least one inductive coil sensor which includes at least one inductive controller, at least two inductive coils including a first inductive coil coupled to the housing and a second inductive coil coupled to the housing. The first inductive coil is configured to exhibit a response to an inductive change and provide a first change signal in response to an inductive change, and the second inductive coil is configured to exhibit a response to the inductive change and provide a second change signal in response to the inductive change.

Abstract: An anaerobic chamber system to evaluate human enteric disease is described herein that can be used to test therapeutic components. In specific embodiments, the anaerobic chamber is used to determine the effect of one or more bacterial communities on ex vivo enteroid cultures. In one application, the anaerobic chamber system is used to determine the efficacy of therapeutic components in ameliorating human enteric disease using personalized medicine.

Abstract: A chair or stool having a substantially spherical seat component. The spherical seat component is supported upon identical base support units that are designed to stack or nest within each other. Addition or subtraction of the base support units raises and lowers the chair or stool, so that the chair or stool can comfortably fit most people of different size or height. A novel mounting mechanism firmly attaches the spherical seat to the base support unit or units.

Abstract: The present invention features a chair having a large, inflated, ball-shaped seat. The ball-shaped seat of the chair re-forms in response to an individual's weight and his or her seated position. The ball-shaped seat's height is adjustable, so as to conform to differently-sized individuals. The deformable surface of the ball allows the spine of a seated individual to align itself. This activates the individual's trunk and back muscles, and makes comfortable and therapeutic seating possible for a wide variety of individuals, even those with back problems. The shell of the inflated ball can have a flexible, tough skin that is formed of rubber, plastic, leather or other air-impermeable material. For comfort and/or esthetic purposes, the shell can be covered with fabric or vinyl. Side handles can also be provided for comfort and stability. Additionally, casters can be provided for easy movement about the floor.

Abstract: An improved device which allows a carton of coiled wire, packaged in a way to allow the coil to be unwound from its center through a circular knockout in the carton, to rotate as the wire is being pulled out of the center knockout. As the wire is pulled it makes contact with a flared center column. The action of the wire against the center column and the pull of the wire on the coil causes the device and the carton of wire to rotate. This rotating action prevents twists and kinks in the wire and allows it to unwind easily. The device can be operated sitting on a surface, hanging from a support or held in the operators hand. The device has no parts that adjust or need to be removed in order to mount a carton of coiled wire and there is no need for the wire to be fed through a guide. The wire can be pulled at angles from near horizontal to approximately 45 degrees up off horizontal and in any direction.